Rick Warren to the Rescue

Someone sent me the latest press release from Rick Warren's purpose-driven empire.  Warren's sure not one to let the current economic downturn be anything but a marketing opportunity for his "purpose-driven" materials.

The press release reads in part "with the collapse of our economy, the tools, resources and experiences we’ve bundled into the Purpose Driven Connection are arriving at the exact moment when Americans need them most."

It goes on to say, “The hollow hope of materialism has left us disappointed, empty and worried, and the economic collapse has created a hunger for a deeper spiritual connection to God and to each other."  Of course, Warren would never do anything to contribute to the hollow hope of materialism like recommend that we all buy his stuff to see us through the difficult times.

“We certainly didn’t anticipate our national crisis when we began designing these tools, but we can now see how the Purpose Driven Connection is going to provide urgent and essential spiritual support and encouragement for millions of people in the difficult days ahead. . . . God’s timing is always perfect.”

Pretty shameless.

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Well, if Rick Warren can hawk his wares, so can I.

Here's my very own Riddleblog blogosphere release.

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Anaheim, CA, January 27, 2009

"In these days of economic uncertainty, a proper view of the end-times is a must.  To help you navigate these perilous times the Riddleblog reminds you of the two books written by its proprietor.  If these uncertain times have you worrying about your job, retirement savings, and 401K, you need to buy both my books (multiple copies to give to all your friends and family) which will help you know what is going on, and will also ensure that I don't have to worry about these things.  That will leave me free to warn people about the proper view of end times (Reformed amillennialism, of course).  

What is God's purpose in all of this?  Is this economic distress setting the stage for the rise of the Antichrist?  What is the secret purpose behind the election of Obama?  Was John McCain's purpose in rushing through the economic stimulus package to prepare the way for the real Man of Sin?  Some dispensationalists might even think the author fills the bill.

Whatever end times view you hold, Kim Riddlebarger's Man of Sin is must reading.  Collect all three editions, each one tailor-made to fit your own end-times predictions!

And don't forget A Case for Amillennialism, which is your sure guide to living above the fear and uncertainty of the end times.  If you want to know God's purpose for the last days and how this impacts you, you need to read this book!  In fact, might we suggest buying a case of A Case for Amillennialism (that is, a case of 30 of them).  That will certainly help me prevent any future personal economic crisis. 

Isn't that the true Purpose behind these "press releases" in the first place?

Comments

[PB]

I'm not sure who has more of "too much time on their hands" - you for writing this stuff or us for reading it!<grin>
PS - This blog needs smileys!

[John Yeazel]

Riddlebarger is hopelessly sarcastic and negative- way to go brother.

[John Yeazel]

Gee, I hope those who attend Saddle Back (is that the right name?) or who are Rick Warren fans do not sneak a peak at the Riddleblog- not. We are trying trying to cause division in the Church right and have those cranky type personalities.

[CBinCa]

What, no picture of a Pope??? <grin>

[Peter Eddy]

Hi Dr. Riddlebarger,

First this was a funny post! I love your line, "If these uncertain times have you worrying about your job, retirement savings, and 401K, you need to buy both my books (multiple copies to give to all your friends and family) which will help you know what is going on, and will also ensure that I don't have to worry about these things."

Second, when I saw this post, at first I thought it was your face in the pool. But when I saw that the guy was wearing clothes, I thought, "Nah, couldn't be him; he wouldn't do that."

Third, most seriously, do you think that Rick Warren's intent with these new materials is financial gain? I don't know him, I haven't read his books, and don't live in the same state as him, so I am unaware of what lies behind all the publicity. That said, I would guess that he genuinely cares for the souls of the lost people who will buy the materials--whether they're theologically sound or not.

I think that this post casts too much of a question over his head that the statements you quoted here, on their own, don't warrant. Could you clarify your intentions?

Even if you made a mistake here, I'm still hugely grateful for your work in helping me come to convictions on eschatology and covenant theology. Thank you.

Pete

[hb]

I'm still reeling from the description of the Saddleback campus! I was horrified to see that they sell the "green" bible. If he has no control or knowledge (or if he even cares!) of what is being sold on his grounds, I have no doubt that he doesn't realize how his spiel sounds. Filthy lucre, right?

[Robin]

I don't mean to clog Kim's blog, but here are quote excerpts from a R.I.C.K. email to his flock during Thanksgiving '08:

"Dear Saddleback Family,
Medical studies have proven that the attitude of gratitude is the healthiest emotion you can have... the Bible pointed this out thousands of years ago: "Being cheerful keeps you healthy." Proverbs 17:22 (TEV)
This is why it's important to REALLY express thanksgiving to God - ... Here are two practical ways:
FIRST, write a brief "Thank you note to God" and share it with me. Surely you can pause for just 5 minutes to be grateful. To help you be specific write it down. Make a list of 10 or 20 items and email me at pastorrick@saddleback.net. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!" 1 Chron. 16:34 (NLT)
SECOND, give thanks by giving. .. God commanded: "Celebrate the Harvest Festival by bringing a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing God has given you." Deut. 16:10-11 (GN)
This weekend or next, bring your family's thanksgiving offering to God when you attend...follow these steps:

1. Ask, "How many ways has God blessed my life ... this year?" How will I express my thanks by giving back to Him? "I will give you an offering to show thanks to you God." Psalm 116:17 (NCV)
2. Have a family meeting about your gift... "Make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully." 2 Cor. 9:7 (NLT)
3. Let God stretch your faith! "Your giving proves the reality of your faith..." 2 Cor. 9:13 (Ph) "Give generously ... and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Deut. 15:10 (NIV)
4. If you've never tithed the first 10% of your income, start with that! "Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns..." Prov. 3:9 (LB)

5. You can give your Thanksgiving Offering ONLINE here. Beginning next week you can use your credit card number.

In the next News & Views, I'll share some of the "THANK YOU NOTES TO GOD" so be sure to email me your note.
...our church is able to...offer free financial workshops! We'll offer them again in January.

Rick Warren
Saddleback Church"

So my takeaway from this is: the letter is coercive; the pastor condones using credit cards to tithe then offers free financial management advice.

[can of worms icon]

Thank you Pastor Kim for teaching us the Truth so we can be free.

Robin

[Matt Holst]

Thank you, Pastor Kim, for showing us how sarcasm is properly practiced.
Wouldn't it be great if the focus would be on reading SCRIPTURE (especially the ESV Study Bible) which I will likely never find next to the numerous Purpose Materials on the shelves at Goodwill?! Why can't we turn to the Word that Sanctifies us (John 17.17) as opposed to yet another fad "take the Scripture out of context" study that will soon wind up on the trashheap next to the Prayer of Jabez?

Thanks again for this post and this blog. I always find great material to use in teaching High School Bible.

Matt

[DSY]

Did anyone else find the photo of Rick in the pool a little creepy? Is he flying? Is it a watery crucifix?
DSY

[timinator]

Kim Riddlebarger's Man of Sin Pastor Kim are you still trying to sell your biography. Any one waiting to help a good bookstore can get Man of Sin and Case for Amillennialism at the House of Bibles in Fullerton. 123 East Commonwealth Avenue (714) 992-5081.

Don't forget Michael Horton's new book Christless Christianity, great book well worth the read.

[Greg]

You guys are reading way too much into RW's picture...he's simply floating in the sea of liquidity generated by his empire. "...remember now, the number is BR549."

[John Yeazel]

Robin's note is very revealing- these holy empires may begin to crumble as the economic difficulty and uncertainty gets deeper and deeper. This could be a very tough year for all of those Churches who carry the economic burden of all the needless programs and activities they have in place to keep the "seekers" happy. Word and Sacrament Churches are much easier to maintain financially. Don't complain about how much these growth Churches bring in- we may see a mass exodus from them in the very near future.

[Charles S]

Remember the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones? Really big head and a small body, and he would float around giving everybody advice.....nah it couldn't be.....

[Alberto]

Maybe the US government should include Dr. Riddlebarger's books in the stimulus plan. There is money for sod and contraceptives, why not his books? The buying of his books will help the publisher and its employees, the author, and the mailman or delivery man. It will even scale down the anxiety people have, since they won't be dispensationalist reading and interpreting the news with fear of the end due to what's happening here and in Israel.

[Alberto]

Maybe that really isn't Rick Warren. Maybe it's Kim with a dyed goatee.

[PB]

Why does the title get me thinking about that old song - "Jim Dandy to the rescue - go Jim Dandy! - go Jim Dandy!"...

[The Fifth Cylon]

Is that John McCain or Saul Tigh?

[wayne]

Rick Warren is perhaps in the water looking for a Porpoise Driven Life .

[Matt Ohley]

Now that's funny.

[Marco de Beeste]

Is it just my computer or has the Barak Obama version of the MOS cover disappeared?

Look here is wisdom:

Barak="Blessed"

Blessed in Latin=Benedictus (like our current Pope!)

Benedictus transliterated in Greek=Βενεδικτος

Βενεδικτος=666!

What could be simpler? :-)